Smelian looked at Lu Xia, cradling their little cub. His eyes, red-rimmed and brimming with tenderness, were fixed on her. He gently took Lu Xia’s hand. "Thank you, Xiaxia. You’ve worked so hard."

Lu Xia smiled back. "Remember to tell Lady Rafaelde about this. I’m sure she’ll be very happy when she finds out."

"I will."

Cecil stood to the side, watching Smelian and the little cub in his arms with eyes full of envy. He imagined if he, too, could become a Male Father one day. ’I wouldn’t mind if the cub is male or female,’ he thought. ’As long as it’s from Lu Xia, I’ll love it.’

The old butler had already prepared Lu Xia’s nutritional meal. He stepped forward and asked, "Madam, would you like to dine now?"

"Yes, please bring it to my room."

With a new little cub in the house, things had become much livelier. Little Pu Tao was already starting to toddle and had even grown a few baby teeth. After learning he had a new little sister, he would mumble "sister... sister..."

After Little Pu Tao saw his sister, he clamored to go see her every day.

When Lady Rafaelde learned that Lu Xia and Smelian had bred a female cub, she was so excited that she rushed over that very afternoon.

Upon seeing the little female cub—a spitting image of Smelian—in his arms, Lady Rafaelde couldn’t help but shed tears of joy.

"A female cub? Smelian, you’ve become a Male Father! This is wonderful! The Rafaelde family finally has hope."

Smelian wasn’t thinking as far ahead as Lady Rafaelde was.

He didn’t care about the little cub’s future status. All that mattered to him was that she was the bond between him and Lu Xia. ’With our little cub, nothing can ever tear us apart.’

Lady Rafaelde carefully reached out and took the sweet, milky-smelling little cub into her arms, so overjoyed she didn’t know what to do.

The little cub wasn’t fussy after being fed. Even though many people had held her over the past few days, she would just watch them with wide, curious eyes, only whimpering a little when she got sleepy.

After visiting the cub, Lady Rafaelde went to see Lu Xia personally.

After a week of rest and thanks to the effects of the Spiritual Spring Water, Lu Xia had completely recovered to her previous state—in fact, she looked even better than before. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Seeing the sweet-smelling and soft little cub in Lady Rafaelde’s arms, Lu Xia said, "I see you’ve met her."

Lady Rafaelde was overcome with emotion upon seeing Lu Xia. She grabbed Lu Xia’s hand, her eyes red as she choked up several times before finally managing to speak a complete sentence. "Duke, thank you. Thank you for being willing to breed a cub for Smelian. I truly don’t know what to say... The Rafaelde family will forever be loyal to you."

Lu Xia didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at Lady Rafaelde’s sudden pledge of loyalty.

She took out a tissue and handed it to Lady Rafaelde. "You don’t have to say that. Smelian is a good man. It was only natural for me to want to breed a cub with him. He is worthy of it."

Hearing Lu Xia’s words only made Lady Rafaelde’s tears flow harder. She was simply too moved.

She nodded emphatically, unable to form a coherent sentence.

Seeing how emotional she was, Lu Xia said no more, simply staying with her with a gentle smile to help her calm down.

"My apologies for my behavior, Duke. I was just overwhelmed. Please, allow the Rafaelde family to handle the little cub’s one-month celebration."

Lu Xia didn’t refuse. She smiled and said, "Of course, if that’s what you wish. I would be very happy for you to do so."

Lady Rafaelde was delighted that Lu Xia hadn’t refused. Before leaving, she reminded Smelian to take good care of the little cub, promising she would visit often.

At that moment, she finally understood why Duke Leslie used to run to Duke Lu Xia’s Mansion a thousand times a day.

’If it were possible, I’d even want to take the little female cub home to raise her myself. She’s just too adorable, so sweet-smelling and soft. I’ve never seen such a cute little female cub.’

’Plenty of people in my family have bred cubs, but where would you find a little female cub as well-behaved and adorable as this one? All the others do is cry and fuss, making so much noise you can’t get a moment’s peace.’

Naturally, the news that Duke Lu Xia’s Mansion had a new little female cub reached Duke Leslie and Lady Daina.

Early one morning, Duke Leslie and Lady Daina came to visit and see the little cub in Smelian’s arms.

Both of their eyes were filled with envy and delight. However, Duke Leslie was much calmer than Lady Daina, as Graces and Lu Xia had already bred a cub together.

In contrast, Lady Daina was filled more with envy and anticipation.

’After all, Cecil has been with Duke Lu Xia for so long now. Surely it should be our Cecil’s turn next, right?’

’I don’t mind the cub’s gender, as long as they have one.’

Although the new, sweet-smelling and soft little female cub wasn’t his own, Cecil still went to see her every evening. He would occasionally bring the little cub beautiful new toys, appearing exceptionally thoughtful.

However, compared to Cecil, Simon was much more popular with Little Pu Tao and the little female cub.

Whenever Simon appeared, Little Pu Tao and the little female cub would stare at him, captivated by his unique silver hair and purple eyes.

But compared to Simon, the little female cub clearly preferred her own Male Father. Whenever Smelian held her, she would give him the sweetest smiles.

News that another cub had been bred in Duke Lu Xia’s Mansion naturally reached the ears of the Fertility Research Institute.

And so, Eugene’s office became a lively place once more.

This time, the Fertility Research Institute had sent another researcher, Tars.

When Doctor Eugene saw Researcher Tars appear in his office, he wasn’t the least bit surprised. He simply feigned a look of confusion and asked, "How can I help you?"

He wasn’t familiar with this Researcher Tars, so there was no need for false pleasantries.

Seeing Doctor Eugene enter, Tars immediately stood up, smiled, and enthusiastically extended his hand. After shaking it, he said, "I hear you’re the private physician for Duke Lu Xia’s Mansion. I’ve come because I heard Duke Lu Xia has bred a new cub. Is this information reliable?"

Doctor Eugene was silent for a moment before replying, "I’m sorry, but I cannot disclose that information. As you know, being my employer’s private physician, I have a duty of confidentiality."

Tars didn’t seem surprised by Doctor Eugene’s refusal. "You only need to inform us privately. We won’t make things difficult for you afterward."